BUTLER TWP — Township commissioners Wednesday took action aimed at helping restaurants attract more customers.

Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution temporarily reducing the number of parking spaces required for restaurants in the zoning ordinance by 40 percent during the green reopening phase of the COVID-19 pandemic to allow them to have outdoor seating.

“It gives restaurants the ability to be creative with outside seating,” said Tom Knights, township manager.

Restaurants will have to make sure traffic can flow through their lots with the outdoor seating and they cannot change the location of any parking spaces, he said.

In the green phase, restaurants are allowed to have 50 percent of their normal customer occupancy, Knights said. The resolution allows them to try to bring in more customers by adding more seating.

“We're trying to help our businesses,” said Dave Zarnick, commissioners president.

The commissioners will reconsider the resolution if the occupancy limit is increased, he said.

The temporary parking reduction will end if the county reverts to the yellow phase, he said.

Restaurants can set up seats and umbrellas, but tents and other temporary structures remain subject to rules in the zoning ordinance, he said.

He said restaurants with liquor licenses that don't permit outdoor liquor sales will have to request permission from the Liquor Control Board to extend licenses to serve alcohol outdoors.

Restaurants are not required to notify the township if they decide to use parking lots for outdoor seating.